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“When Culture and Creativity Collide: Navigating Boundaries as a Desi Female Blogger”
Creating as a Desi woman is both liberating and layered. It’s a space where culture and creativity constantly intertwine — sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict. As a blogger, I’ve often found myself questioning what’s “too much,” what’s “not enough,” and who even gets to decide that. There’s an unspoken pressure to represent the community well while also pushing boundaries. And as empowering as that responsibility can be, it also comes with a fair share of internal conflict, external judgment, and a constant balancing act between expression and expectation. Walking the Tightrope: Being Seen Without Being Silenced Blogging has given me a voice I never knew I needed — a…
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“Brown, Bold & Online: Why More South Asian Women Are Owning Their Stories”
For too long, South Asian women have been confined to the shadows of mainstream media, often cast in roles defined by others. The quiet, obedient daughter. The submissive wife. The perfect image of tradition and decorum. But there’s a new wave of South Asian women stepping into the spotlight, owning their stories, and rewriting the narrative, both online and offline. Brown, bold, and unapologetically ourselves — that’s the new mantra. And we’re here to claim our space in a world that has too often tried to silence our voices. Breaking the Silence: The Power of Telling Our Stories There’s power in our stories. But until recently, the stories of South…
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“I’m Not Just an Aesthetic: Reclaiming My Voice as a South Asian Woman Online”
There’s something deeply unsettling about being celebrated for your appearance but ignored for your voice. As a South Asian woman navigating digital spaces, I’ve felt this more than once — that quiet tension between being appreciated for how I look, how I dress, how I style my life, but not always for what I say. It’s a strange, frustrating paradox: to be visible, yet unheard. To be admired, but not fully understood. We’re often reduced to an “aesthetic.”The vibrant kurtas, the gold jewelry, the chai cups and hennaed hands — they’re all beautiful, no doubt. They’re part of who we are. But we are not just that. We are more…
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“What It Means to Be a South Asian Female Creator in a World That Doesn’t Always See Us”
Let’s be real — being a South Asian female creator in today’s world is both a privilege and a battle. It’s empowering, fulfilling, and transformative, but it also comes with layers of challenges that many people simply don’t see. We’re often expected to exist quietly, to not “make noise,” to stick to what’s been deemed “acceptable” by societal standards — both in our own communities and in the wider world. But here’s the truth: we were never meant to be silent. Our voices, our visions, and our stories are too powerful to be boxed in. The Pressure to Fit In While Standing Out As creators, we constantly walk a fine…
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“The Status Olympics: Marriage, Kids, Career – Why Are South Asian Women Ranked Like This?”
Vidya’s POV:It had been years since I’d last seen Ishpreet, and yet, standing in front of me, she looked so much different. The young girl with the long, coconut-oiled hair and the traditional Punjabi suits had vanished. In her place stood a confident woman with a sleek chocolate brown bob, wearing casual clothes, her style completely transformed. I was taken aback for a moment, but then, the familiar feeling of her presence washed over me. Our shared childhood memories rushed back, and I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. This was my best friend, the girl who had been by my side through it all. “Oh…
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“Can We Talk About How Exhausting It Is to Always Be ‘Better’ Than Someone?”
Misha’s POVThey say comparison is the thief of joy.In my family, it’s practically tradition. I’m Misha.Founder of my own marketing agency.Mentor to women across the country trying to learn SEO.Self-made, no shortcuts, no safety nets. But none of that matters at family dinners.Because I’m not Riya. Riya, the corporate darling.Chartered accountant.Supposedly “so much more ahead” in life than me. What they don’t know is —I’ve seen her.At the club where I used to work as a bouncer.Slurring her words,Grinding on strangers she won’t remember,Crying in the bathroom stall because life isn’t what she promised herself. You say she’s better?Then why is she the one who calls her mum at 2AM…
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“Not Your Competition: Rebuilding Trust in South Asian Female Friendships”
She walked into the room, radiant and self-assured —and before I could say “hi,” my mind whispered,“She’s probably judging me.” Where did that come from? Why does someone else’s shine make us question our own? Let’s talk about the quiet tension, the mistrust, and the healing it takes to rebuild something we rarely admit we’ve lost —trust in each other. We Were Taught to Compete, Not Connect From a young age, many of us were praised when we outdid another girl —when we got the highest marks, the prettiest outfit, the most “marriage potential.” We didn’t realize it then,but those gold stars came at the cost of sisterhood. We weren’t…
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“When Winning Means Losing Each Other: Workplace Competition Between South Asian Women”
We walk into the office, ambitious, focused, and proud of how far we’ve come.But sometimes, the hardest tension doesn’t come from the outside —It comes from the woman who looks just like us across the conference table. What happens when success becomes a silent war?When climbing the ladder means climbing over each other? The Unspoken Competition Let’s be honest:Seeing another South Asian woman in the workplace should feel like relief.Like familiarity. Like community. Like finally, someone who gets it. But for many of us, it’s not that simple. We’ve been conditioned to think:“There’s only room for one of us.”“If she’s thriving, maybe I’m not doing enough.”“I need to prove I’m…
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“Why Do Aunties Love to Compare Us? The Root of Judgment in South Asian Communities”
You’re at a family gathering. The chai is flowing, the snacks are out, and the aunties… well, they’re in full form.“She’s studying medicine now, right?”“That one got married last year — such a good match.”“Oh, you’re still figuring things out? Hmm… don’t worry, beta.” The comparisons are casual — even passive-aggressive — but they sting. And they stick. For so many of us, these moments aren’t rare. They’re normal. But that’s the problem.Because behind the polite smiles and sideways glances lies a culture of judgment that shapes how we see ourselves — and each other. So let’s ask the question out loud:Why do aunties love to compare us? It’s Not…
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“Why Are We So Hard on Each Other? A Reflection on South Asian Female Competition and Self-Worth”
Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through social media, silently comparing yourself to another South Asian woman, and feeling the weight of it all? Maybe you saw someone with a seemingly perfect life, or a career you dream of, and thought, “Why can’t I get there?” That feeling of “not enough” hits hard. And if we’re honest, it’s a familiar feeling many of us carry in silence. We’ve all been there — competing, measuring up, constantly questioning our worth based on the lives of others. But where did this internalized competition even come from? The Unspoken Pressure of Competition It’s no secret that South Asian culture places immense value on…
Daughters of Strength, Bosses by Choice